The journey from Ireland to Scotland was made following the route taken by the pioneers, the first distillers, sailors who navigated from the Mediterranean to the Irish Sea, and up the rivers used to transport stills to the heart of the Scottish islands and inlands.
Whisky distilling is a tale of resistance, shown first by the Irish and then by the Scots as they organized their business against the English �conquerors�.
The English imposed taxes which worked in favor of distilleries able to afford imposing stills, with significant production capacities and a corresponding number of staff. In Scotland, the Parliament based in Edinburgh bore the extra cost. But in Ireland, which demanded its independence in 1916, most of the distilleries were forced to shut down.
On the Scottish island of Islay, the whiskies sold today are around 20 years old, but some great single malts have been stored for anything up to 30 or 40 years.
Jim McEwan, 50, and for 12 years a master-distiller in Bowmore, Islay, adds simply: �I hope in thirty years� time that everything will turn out right��

Photos

Credits

Directed by

Laurent Chavanel

Produced by

Cie des phares et balises, Plan�te

Technical information

Copyright :

2000

Running time:

52 minutes

Broadcasts :

Plan�te (12/12/2000)

Press reviews

�A delectable pilgrimage to the sources of whisky� � T�L�CABLE SATELLITE HEBDO, French TV magazine